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Scouting Combine: Stock up/down

2023 撸先生AV Scouting Combine stock up/stock down, Day 1: Nolan Smith displays electric athleticism

INDIANAPOLIS -- The first night of workouts at the 2023 撸先生AV Scouting Combine is in the books, with the defensive linemen and linebackers taking center stage on Thursday.

While several prospects chose not to perform all of the athleticism tests, many of those who partook in the events at Lucas Oil Stadium wowed scouts with their speed in the 40-yard dash, their agility in shuttle drills and their explosiveness in the broad and vertical jumps. Some exceeded expectations, causing their draft stock to rise; others displayed flaws in their speed and/or athleticism (or chose not to perform), hurting their chances of being selected on Day 1 or Day 2 when the draft begins in Kansas City, Missouri (April 27-29).

Below, I list five former college stars who undoubtedly impressed the league's personnel decision-makers with their test results and on-field performance. I also list five players who could use a strong effort at their school's pro day to leave the most favorable impression possible before the draft.

Stock up

Adetomiwa Adebawore
Northwestern · DE

Adebawore looked very athletic for a 282-pound lineman, running a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and registering a 37.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5-inch broad jump. Adebawore's quick feet were on display during the on-field drills, as he hopped over and around bags like a stand-up edge rusher and worked hard dropping into space in linebacker drills. Though he measures under 6-foot-2, the former Wildcat has good length (33 7/8-inch arm). 

Jack Campbell
Iowa · LB

Unheralded as a great athlete coming into this event, the 6-4 5/8, 249-pounder jumped 37 1/2 inches in the vertical and 10-7 in the broad jump while posting a 1.59-second 10-yard split. Campbell was as fluid and quick as any larger 'backer who took the field Thursday, which showed in a 6.74-second three-cone effort. Teams will likely project him as an immediate starter at the next level when they consider these results along with the instincts and toughness Campbell showed on tape during his Iowa career.

Calijah Kancey
Pittsburgh · DT

Kancey was listed at 6-foot on the Pittsburgh Panthers' , but he measured 6-1, 281 in Indianapolis. His arm length measured 30 5/8 inches. That's not typical for a defensive tackle, but it is a win. His 4.67 40 time was exactly what he needed, recording the fastest time for a defensive tackle at the event since 2003, per Next Gen Stats. It bested Aaron Donald's time of 4.68 in 2014. Kancey came up short of Donald's arm measurement (30 5/8 versus 32 5/8) and did not participate in on-field drills, but his film clearly shows his short-area quickness and ability to stand up and swim past defenders off the snap. 

Nolan Smith
Georgia · EDGE

Smith was unable to finish his final season with the Bulldogs because of a pec injury, but he certainly showed out Thursday in Indianapolis. The 6-2 edge rusher is relatively slight at 238 pounds and has less than ideal arm length (32 5/8 inches), but his blazing 4.39 40 (1.52-second 10-yard split), 41.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump opened some eyes. Smith did not participate in the field drills, but he had already done more than enough to help himself.

Byron Young
Tennessee · EDGE

Young flashed as a pass rush star for the Volunteers in their 11-2 campaign last fall and may have secured a Day 2 selection with his performance in Indianapolis. He looked the part of a promising edge player with a 38-inch vertical, 11-foot broad jump and blistering 4.43 40. Young showed his agility in the open field, and his rock-solid upper body and heavy hands made the upright bags pop in drills.

Stock down

Andre Carter II
Army · EDGE

Carter broke out as a junior with the Cadets, racking up 15.5 sacks to get on scouts' radars. His production dropped in 2022, however, and his performance in Indy didn鈥檛 impress. Carter measured over 6-foot-6 but his arm length (33 3/8 inches) is not elite. He did not run the 40-yard dash and put up poor jump figures for an edge defender (30-inch vertical, 9-foot-1 broad jump). He must excel at his pro day to be considered a Day 2 prospect. 

Mike Morris
Michigan · DE

Morris was a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a stand-up rusher for the Wolverines in 2022, but his 4.95-second 40-yard dash at 275 pounds did not scream "elite edge defender.鈥 Also, he didn鈥檛 help himself with a 28.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-2 broad jump. Morris fell multiple times during field drills, as his tight hips made it tough to change directions and turn the corner. There isn't much film to judge whether he can play at the five-technique in the 撸先生AV, so right now he seems like a man without a clear position.  

Jaquelin Roy
LSU · DT

Roy arrived in Indianapolis as a potential Day 2 pick. He did not run a 40-yard dash on Thursday night, however, and struggled in the tests he participated in (5.0 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, 8.01 in the three-cone drill) at 305 pounds. During field drills, his movements looked more like those of a nose tackle than a quick three-technique who could be a pass rush factor. Roy will have a role on an 撸先生AV defense, but his combine efforts did not push him up draft boards.

Drew Sanders
Arkansas · LB

Considered one of the most athletic linebackers in this year鈥檚 class, Sanders chose not to participate in any testing on Thursday. While the former Arkansas linebacker measured at 6-foot-4 3/8, his 235-pound frame and average arm length (32 1/8 inches) are unlikely to excite teams. He looked quick moving in a straight line during position drills, as expected with his lean build, but he鈥檚 not elite when it comes to change of direction. Sanders has received first-round buzz, but on Thursday he reminded me more of 2022 Day 2 selections like Troy Andersen and Chad Muma.

Byron Young
Alabama · DT

Young weighed in at 294 pounds but did not move as well in position drills as some players who were 10 or 20 pounds heavier than him. He was upright and relatively slow in his movements during short-area agility drills. Young did not run the 40 and his vertical (26 inches) and broad jump (nine feet) did not compare well with the rest of the group. He鈥檚 displayed versatility playing different spots on the line for Alabama, but his lack of quickness as a sub-300 pounder probably won鈥檛 endear him to 撸先生AV teams.

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